Helium ion irradiated polyamidoimide films: a FT-IR and Raman follow-up

The evolution of polyamidoimide (PAI) at a molecular level has been studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopy after several He+ ion irradiations. The infrared investigation made it possible to study the appearance of CO2 and HCN molecules and, for example, to correlate CO2 with C-O vanishing bands during He+ ion irradiation. Preliminary Raman spectroscopy results confirmed a graphite-like structure for strongly irradiated PAI. In situ spectroscopic measurements versus fluence during irradiation with other ions are expected to give further information about the polymer structure evolution. (6 figures, 10 references) (UK)